Second-year International Baccalaureate students embarked on an exciting trip to Oosterschelde National Park to complete their Group 4 Project. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork among science students from diverse subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), Sports, Health and Science, and Computer Science. Together, they worked to solve common scientific questions they developed themselves. 

 

At American School of The Hague (ASH), we prioritize taking learning beyond the classroom. Oosterschelde National Park, with its rich biodiversity, vibrant marine life, and unique tidal landscapes, provides an ideal setting for this hands-on learning experience. The park also holds an important place in Dutch history. Following the devastating 1953 flood, the Delta Works project was launched, a remarkable system of dams and storm surge barriers designed to protect low-lying areas from future flooding. Today, the barrier not only shields the region but also sustains the delicate tidal ecosystem, allowing marine life to thrive—a perfect environment for students to explore through different scientific lenses.

 

This project challenges students to bridge the gap between theory and practice by immersing them in real-world scientific inquiry. By exploring Oosterschelde, they are encouraged to think creatively and collaborate across disciplines, proposing innovative solutions to the complex environmental challenges they encounter. The diversity of scientific perspectives fostered rich exchanges of ideas and solutions to the problems they faced.

 

After collecting data in the various parts of the park, students were further tested by setting up outdoor labs using the same scientific equipment found in their ASH classrooms. To prevent samples from being affected by the wind, even the buses were transformed into makeshift labs!

 

Their fieldwork peaked in an overnight stay at a medieval castle in Domburg, where students continued to collaborate late into the evening, analyzing their findings and preparing for presentations the next day. The Group 4 Project exemplifies how STEM education can inspire both individual creativity and a collective approach to addressing today’s most pressing challenges. Furthermore, working in the vibrant outdoor environment near ASH fosters collaboration and teamwork, providing students with the chance to apply their knowledge in innovative ways. It also offers students an opportunity to explore the natural areas of the Netherlands, deepening their connection to the thriving local ecosystems around them.